The Minister of State is welcome.

No problem.

I second the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Moynihan. All of us across the House have been talking about our deep concerns and heartbreak at what has been happening in Israel and Gaza over the past ten days. Many of us in this House care so deeply about the issue. I believe that most of us share a deep commitment to human rights. It is, therefore, very unfortunate that the motion has been tabled in the way it has. Genuine work has been done by my colleagues, including Senators Black and Moyn…

No, not last night. My point was-----

The last-----

Last week, yes. Last night there was no discussion.

I had-----

I know, but the Leader is saying that there was negotiation last night.

There was no negotiation last night.

I move amendment No. 1: In page 11, between lines 5 and 6, to insert the following: ““relevant occupied territory” means a territory which is occupied within the meaning of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and which has been- (a) confirmed as such in a decision or advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice, (b) confirmed as such in a decision of the International Criminal Court, (c) confirmed as such in a decision of an international tribunal, or (d) recognised as such by a resolution of both Houses of the…

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Calleary, to the House to discuss this very important issue. The Civil Engagement Group very much appreciates the communication from Department officials in the past week, and even this morning we spoke in the House about the importance of cross-party support and communicating with officials. We thank them for that. I will not speak further on the amendments but I intend to press them.

I move amendment No. 2: In page 18, between lines 21 and 22, to insert the following: “ Restriction on export of dual-use items to a relevant occupied territory 20. (1) Notwithstanding sections 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 and 18 , authorisation shall not be granted to a person or organisation to transit a dual-use item through or from the State where such an item is destined for a relevant occupied territory or where there is a significant likelihood that the item may be transported to a relevant occupied…

I move amendment No. 3: In page 21, between lines 17 and 18, to insert the following: “(5) Where a broker obtains authorisation or a licence in the circumstances described in subsection (3) , a record of such authorisation or licence shall be provided to the Minister by the broker which shall include information regarding the end-use of military items for which such authorisation or licence has been granted.”.

Last week, our meetings with officials helped flesh out the position the Department is taking on amendment No. 3. However, we still have valid concerns about this area and we wish to hear the Minister of State's reply.

I move amendment No. 4: In page 22, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Restriction on export of military items to a relevant occupied territory 28. (1) Notwithstanding sections 24, 25, 26 and 27 authorisation shall not be granted to a person or organisation to transit a military item through or from the State where such an item is destined for a relevant occupied territory or where there is a significant likelihood that the item may be transported to a relevant occupied territory. (2) Where a person o…

I move amendment No. 5: In page 22, between lines 2 and 3, to insert the following: “Report on military and dual-use items utilising automated means 28. (1) The Minister shall, within 18 months of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas outlining engagement he or she has had at European Union level regarding the development of additional and more strict export controls on military and dual-use items which utilise automated means to function or which have the capacity to be used th…

We have to say as the Civil Engagement Group that it is regrettable the Minister of State has not accepted any of our six amendments. After all the hard work that went in last week to creating the amendments and talking to the Minister of State’s officials, last night the Government tabled a motion without any communication with us. It is a wasted opportunity for the Government not to take on board our amendments.

I move amendment No. 6: In page 23, between lines 20 and 21, to insert the following: “(d) the authorisation is being sought for the export of a military item or dual-use item which is destined for a relevant occupied territory or where there is a significant likelihood that the item may be transported to a relevant occupied territory,”.

I again raise the issue of Travellers in education. Unfortunately, we have not received a reply from the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley. In the past three weeks, we sent two emails requesting a meeting or some kind of communication so we can look to deal with the inequalities that the Traveller community still faces in our education system today. Is it possible that the Leader would write to the Minister? I understand from colleagues that, to be fair, it is common practice that it can take any Minister a week…

Senator Conway spoke out of both sides of his mouth and gave us all a good reminder of how the most vulnerable people, including people with disabilities, suffered cuts during the economic crisis. I support Senator Clonan's motion and I was very proud to sign it along with my colleagues, Senators Ruane and Black. I thank Senator Clonan for bringing the motion to the House. It is very timely after yesterday's budget. We know that people with disabilities in Ireland face significant additional costs in their daily li…